Practice areas | bratby law | specialist uk telecoms, ai and data regulation lawyers

Practice Areas

UK Telecoms Regulation | AI and Data | Technology and Telecoms Transactions

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Bratby Law‘s practice areas are advising on UK telecoms regulation, AI regulation and data governance, and technology and telecoms transactions. Our work focuses on helping organisations understand and comply with complex regulatory frameworks, manage commercial and operational risk, and structure transactions that support long-term strategic objectives.

Each practice area shown below links to a dedicated hub page containing detailed guidance and related subpages.

Our specialist UK legal practice areas

We advise organisations at the intersection of telecoms, AI and data and contracts. Our work helps businesses anticipate legal risk, meet evolving regulatory obligations and structure transactions that deliver strategic value.

Telecoms Regulation

We help communications providers understand and comply with UK telecoms regulation. Our advice covers market entry, licensing, General Conditions, numbering, switching, security and resilience under the Telecommunications Security Act, spectrum matters, access and interconnection, and engagement with Ofcom across investigations, enforcement and disputes.

AI Regulation and Data Governance

We advise on AI regulation, data protection and data governance. Our work includes compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, AI oversight and risk management, accountability frameworks, data contracts, cross-border transfers and sector-specific guidance. We support organisations deploying AI systems and handling data in complex operational and regulatory environments.

Technology and Telecoms Transactions

We draft and negotiate technology, telecoms and data-related contracts for operators, vendors and investors. Our experience spans network-sharing, MVNO and wholesale arrangements, infrastructure and subsea cable projects, platform and cloud contracting, SaaS and licensing, and complex commercial and corporate transactions.

Our end-to-end perspective


Our approach is shaped by a rare combination of regulatory, operator and private-practice experience:

The Regulator’s Perspective

Work at Oftel, the predecessor to Ofcom, provides first-hand experience of how UK communications regulation is developed, interpreted and enforced. This includes leadership of the project to liberalise the UK’s international telecoms infrastructure market (subsea cables and satellite), and a detailed understanding of regulatory intent and enforcement dynamics.

The Operator’s Perspective

Senior in-house roles at COLT and embedded general-counsel roles within operator-side businesses provide practical insight into how networks are built, where risks arise, how compliance is operationalised and how commercial and regulatory decisions are made inside carriers and infrastructure operators.

The Adviser’s Perspective

As a former partner and practice leader at international law firms in London and Singapore, Rob Bratby has advised operators, platforms, investors and global technology companies on major regulatory matters, market-shaping projects, cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional compliance programmes.

This combination enables advice that is legally rigorous, commercially aligned and technically grounded.

Why a specialist boutique?


Bratby Law is structured to provide a clear alternative to broad TMT practices and larger City firms:

Boutique approach

TMT or City firm

Specialist, sector-specific focus

Broad TMT coverage with variable depth

Senior delivery on all matters

Work delegated to teams of varying experience

Integrated regulatory, operator and advisory experience

Limited practical or regulatory grounding

Predictable, flexible engagement models

Rigid, process-driven structures


As a boutique, Bratby Law provides specialist regulatory depth, partner-level delivery and commercially aligned advice shaped by practical operator-side experience. Engagement models are flexible and predictable, including direct instruction, specialist co-counsel and fractional general-counsel support.

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Frequently asked questions about our practice areas

What practice areas does Bratby Law specialise in?

Bratby Law advises on three specialist practice areas: UK telecoms regulation, AI regulation and data protection, and technology and telecoms transactions. These Practice Areas reflect the firm’s core strengths in regulatory interpretation, sector-specific commercial work and complex digital-infrastructure matters.

How do clients work with Bratby Law?

Clients work with the firm through three engagement models:
direct legal advice for regulatory, commercial or transactional matters;
specialist co-counsel input for law firms and consultancies; and
fractional general counsel support for organisations needing ongoing senior legal leadership across telecoms, AI, data and technology issues.

Who does Bratby Law advise?

We advise UK and international communications providers, network operators, digital-infrastructure companies, technology platforms, AI-driven businesses, SaaS providers, investors and law firms requiring specialist telecoms, AI or data regulatory expertise.

Client recommendations

  • “…one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in.”

    “I worked with Rob over many years whilst I was at Orange. He is one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in. Most notably he provided first class support to me and my team on a high profile / high value joint venture network sharing deal. His ability to see both the detail and the bigger strategic picture were enormously helpful.”
    Amanda Doyle
    (Former) General Counsel, Orange UK

  • “I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”

    “I have had the pleasure of working with Rob now on a number of occasions and engagements with clients. Rob is one of the most knowledgeable people I have come across in the Telecommunications industry, both in his comprehensive understanding of the law for various countries and in the application of this law and what it means for Operators. This is complemented by his generosity with sharing his knowledge, and the friendly style with which he works. I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”
    Nick White
    (Former) Deloitte

  • “I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project”

    “I worked with Rob to introduce One Touch Switching for broadband and fixed voice, which launched successfully with almost two million customers using the service to date. Rob is a first class Legal Counsel with exceptional legal and regulatory knowledge enabling him to give insightful strategic guidance to the ExCo and the Board. He is highly trusted by Directors and easy to work with. I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project.”
    Toby Lovell
    (Former) Chief of Staff, The One Touch Switching Company

Also see

Practice areas | bratby law | specialist uk telecoms, ai and data regulation lawyers

Practice Areas

UK Telecoms Regulation | AI & Data |
Technology and Telecoms Transactions